The Phoenix Art Museum may have a smaller collection than some of the larger museums around the…read morecountry, but it offers several impressive exhibits that make it well worth a visit. The primary reason we visited was to see the Eric Fischl exhibit, specifically "Barbecue" from Steve Martin's personal collection. While exploring the exhibit, we also saw "Time for Bed" from David Geffen's collection and learned about Fischl's "Falling Figures" series, which reflects on the tragic events of 9/11. The artwork was both thought-provoking and memorable. Another highlight was Yayoi Kusama's "Fireflies Infinity Mirror Room". The installation is incredibly immersive, but it's also very dark inside. I'd recommend keeping a hand out in front of you as you move through the space so you don't accidentally walk into a wall while taking in the experience. I was also surprised to discover that the museum is hosting the largest collection of Baroque paintings outside of Europe. While many of the pieces may not be household names, the collection is impressive and definitely worth spending time with. The museum grounds are beautiful as well. It shares a large courtyard and sculpture garden with the Phoenix Theatre Company and the patio for Alden. Out front, you'll find several sculptures, including a T-Rex and a variety of water features. One of the first things you'll encounter after entering is Carlos Amorales' "Black Cloud". Seeing thousands of butterfly silhouettes spread throughout the corridor creates a striking visual effect and makes for a memorable introduction to the museum. The museum is currently undergoing renovations, so not every floor is open. Even so, we spent our entire visit on the first floor and never ran out of things to see. There are plenty of exhibits to explore, including a fun interactive installation featuring green apple candies that visitors are encouraged to take. Whether you're an art enthusiast or simply looking for a unique way to spend an afternoon in Phoenix, the Phoenix Art Museum offers a diverse and engaging experience. We'll definitely be back to see more once the renovations are complete.

PRICE SLIGHTLY STEEP Not my favorite art museum I've ever…read morebeen to as it lacks big well known pieces. I felt the adult price of $28 was too high, especially as a couple -- that's almost $60 for a day out of looking at some pictures. They do offer a AAA $3 discount, which we took advantage of. KUMSAMA FIREFLIES INFINITY MIRROR ROOM My favorite part was the Kusama Fireflies Infinity Mirror Room, where you wander into a room of darkness surrounded by mesmerizing twinkling lights and mirrors. I wasn't aware that this was there, so it was a pleasant surprise. LAYOUT I felt the museum has a slightly confusing, disjointed layout. GIFT SHOP There's a quality gift shop selling typical art museum items like jewelry, scarves, mugs, etc. LOCKERS There are complimentary lockers for backpacks/purses and water. WEB SITE Before our trip, I used their web site and found it confusing to find out the price of tickets and as to whether they were actually open on certain days. See my photos attached. Helpful?

I grew up in an old victorian house and thought it would be fun to bring my dad here for a tour…read morewhen he was in town visiting. We ended up being the only ones on the tour which was nice. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and funny. The entire house has been restored to represent how the original owners would have it set up as closely as possible. The inside details are gorgeous and intricate. Our tour ended up being more like 45 minutes because it was just us and we didn't ask questions. It was a great way to spend a little bit of time before our next activity.

Was in the area from out of town and I wanted to see this beautiful house in person. I wasn't able…read moreto go inside but the outside is so pretty Love all the details. It's truly breathtaking

Much more than we could absorb in one visit !! We are already planning our return. We never…read moreeven made it to the second floor where the boarding school exhibit was presented.

After discovering the Heard Museum in the book "1000 Places to go Before You Die", we put it on the…read morelist of ''must sees' for a recent trip to Phoenix. TAKE THE LIGHT RAIL We took the light rail to the museum from our downtown hotel. There's a stop just down the road. GET A DISCOUNT The adult entry fee was $26 and we used our AAA membership for an exciting $1 off. I feel by the time you're paying $50+ for a couple, the cost is getting off-putting. LOCKERS AVAILABLE We used their complimentary storage lockers for our carry-on luggage as we were on our way to the airport afterwards. You also have to stow water bottles in the lockers. There are a couple of water fountains around the museum in case you get parched. ALLOW HALF A DAY The museum is a quality museum with a lot to see and read, but you really have to be into southwest stuff to really appreciate it in my opinion. After a few hours we were getting slightly overwhelmed, glassy-eyed and tired/bored with aching backs. (To be fair, it was our fourth museum in 3 days, so we were a little burned out!) STAY FOR LUNCH We really enjoyed an excellent lunch at the cafe in the courtyard and highly recommend it. EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP(S) There's a high-end store where you can purchase expensive rugs, jewelry, sculptures, etc. and there's also the 'Mugs and T-shirts' souvenir store and a small coffee shop. RIDE SHARE DROP OFF AND PICK UP The ride share pick-up and drop off is around the back at one end of the parking lot. Helpful?

A friend invited me here for a small military vehicle expo so I went with him, what the heck, I…read morelike classic cars I say to myself. The entry fee is low, the people are friendly and leave you alone and the cars are so cool you can lose your friend easily. Some of the cars are open so you can take pictures in them. I was very impressed by how well these show piece cars are taken care of. If I have any gripe it's that you don't see very many Mopars from the muscle era. I will come back here again when my buddy from LA is in town.

My original review is below. I am only leaving it here until I verify that the situation has been…read morefixed, but I'm very impressed that the owner promptly saw my comment and said it was rectified. I'll add the positives from our trip here in the meantime: The staff was very friendly. They walked & rode around the building during our visit and were happy to answer questions. They encouraged our kids to be engaged. The building was very clean & laid out so well. Our kids loved the free game room. I don't know a thing about cars, and my kids were still able to have a great time and sit in a lot of cool cars. There was also a lot of interesting history on all the placards. The price was higher than other reviews indicated, but that was on me for not verifying! We found it worth the price anyway. ---------------- I'm going to say the bad right off the bat: there was a topless woman painted on an antique gas pump right by the old race cars. For that reason only, we will never go back. As a woman, that is so degrading and disgusting, and to have that around children is inexcusable. Otherwise I would have given this place 5 stars. I am so angry that I wish I could get my money back.

Fantastic museum! Many interesting exhibits and helpful staff. Couldn't believe this museum was…read morefree. One of the best parts of my trip! Some of the kids' art was incredible. It's great to see such talent showcased.

I loved my visit! I love that it was FREE! I didn't notice any donation box or anything but I…read morewould've left something if I saw one.. I had a great experience. I love that they change exhibits every so often. I really enjoyed learning about Chandler. But was most meaningful to me during my visit was the 4th Grade Project Exhibit. "Judy Gelles mission to foster empathy and curiosity". She had been working on this project since 2008 and asked 4th graders all around the world 3 questions. Who do you live with, who do you live with and what do you worry about? Heartfelt. You never stop to think how much worries young people. Some worried about death, being shot, getting their only shoes dirty, etc. shows how much factors at home and impact them. It was deep to see and read!! Worth a visit I will return to see what the next exhibit might be!

MIM is amazing! This is one of the most thorough and thoughtfully curated museums that I've been…read moreto, with something for visitors of all ages to enjoy. I went with my family on a Monday morning in early May. While there were a few school groups and retirement homes visiting during that time, it didn't feel crowded at all! There's so much to learn and explore ... you could honestly spend all day here and still not see everything. Some exhibits are interactive, and there are literally instruments from every corner of the world on display. We did check out the coffee shop before exploring, and grabbed a quick bite! They do not let you bring any food or drink into the exhibits, even water. However, you can check your items at the front desk to pick up on your way out. All tickets include a headset with music or a voiceover that will automatically play as you get close to a specific display. It's hard to choose a favorite room, but the diversity in the Asia wing really stands out. My younger sister also loved the jazz exhibit! I highly recommend a visit to MIM for locals and travellers alike.

There was a reggae event happening at the museum during my recent visit, featuring a drumming…read moreworkshop and reggae performances on Saturday, as well as documentary shorts on global reggae culture and guest speakers throughout the weekend. Even without special events and exhibits, there is so much to see and explore here. It is unbelievable how much they pack into this place. Give yourself at least two hours, or more if you want to thoughtfully read each of the exhibit descriptions or attend any of the optional workshops or performances on site. Food and drinks are not allowed in the museum rooms, except in the food area and courtyard, with Cafe Allegro offering a global menu and Beats Coffee Bar selling all day breakfast along with other snacks and beverages. Museum staff were helpful and welcoming, and I loved using the headphones given in the beginning, as these were connected with the exhibits, and the sounds of various instruments and videos could be heard as you walked by displays throughout the two levels of the venue. The second floor takes you across continents in the world of music, with unique instruments from Latin America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and beyond. I learned about how instruments were played to engage with spirit animals in African culture. And I was fascinated with the Indonesian Gamelan exhibit, showcasing the arts I've experienced before with shadow puppetry. I even discovered many unique and amusing instruments I was not familiar with, like the tortoiseshell drums of the Garífuna and the buccin (french slide trombone), characterized by a dragon's head, as well as Belarus' instruments used for "teasing" songs. In addition, the STEM Gallery allowed for exploration of the science of sound, where I learned that all musical instruments share a common characteristic: vibrations! And the Artist Gallery had individual displays dedicated to iconic musicians, like Elvis, Taylor Swift, and The Wailers. My favorite section of the museum was the Mechanical Music Gallery. It felt like I was at the circus, captivated by vintage instruments such as the calliope (a self-playing steam powered organ) and antique nickelodeon machine. This room definitely added excitement to my visit. I also tried my hand at the theremin in the Experience Gallery, and it was like making music with magic. Lots of quirky items were offered in the gift shop too, like themed puzzles and ornaments, boom box lunch boxes, and a quote book for the melophile in your life. I absolutely enjoyed and appreciated my time at this museum, learning about and listening to the diverse and beautiful sounds created across cultures and throughout time.

Very fun and interactive art pieces! Make sure to pull up the descriptions on your phone for an…read moreeven better experience. Some fun pieces, some unique, and some inspirational artwork as well.

Bestie was in town and she had this genius idea to visit Wonderspaces Arizona. She's been to the…read moreSan Diego one twice and loved it, so I was excited to see what it's all about. This place is beyond cool! There are different rooms to experience, and each one is truly unique. I think I speak for us both when I say the one with the string lights was the most entertaining visually. The light show lasted about 15 minutes total from beginning to end. When you first walk in through the mall entrance, you'll end up at the bar area. Alex was so nice and very engaging. She answered our questions and whatever you order at the bar, you can bring it with you so don't feel confined to the bar area as you finish your drink! I got the School Rules (mocktail) and bestie got the Mango Colada. They were so good, I finished mine pretty quickly! One of the other exhibits that I enJOYed was the coin flipping one. Whoever thought of all this is amazing to say the least! The face display made out of different sized balls on strings was so cool to see, especially when you walked up to it and to the side of it. We don't have membership, but the older gentleman sitting near the bar informed us that if you pay the $99 fee, you can come as many times as you like and you'll get 20% off any merchandise. He was really informative and we appreciated that he wasn't trying to push it on us. I believe you can also bring a guest for a discounted fee. Some of the exhibits were not as entertaining as others, and I do wish there was more to see, but they do switch it up every couple of months so that would definitely be worth the membership. Don't forget to get your selfies in front of the huge mirror near the bar! I highly recommend coming here if you have out of town guests, or if you've just never been. The bonus is that it's located inside the Fashion Square Mall in Scottsdale (same floor as the food court under the escalators), so you can have something to eat or walk around before or after Wonderspaces! It would be a cute date idea, too. I just may buy into the membership because the best part about it is that it does NOT automatically renew. So, if you don't like it, you won't have to worry about your account being charged. Good idea! Check out Wonderspaces Arizona and have so much fun!

This is a must do in Scottsdale. Period. Art is an…read moreexperience. A memory. This will be a core memory for you right here. You will expand your mind and think about how art parameters are often too narrow. Parking was easy. Old town shopping is across the street. There are a plethora of outdoor sculptures to explore. This is a day for the whole family. Be sure to say hi to the nicest docent ever! George loves to tell you about the work and is the most lovely soul. So far this was my favorite day in AZ yet.

SMoCA, Scottsdale's Museum of Contemporary Art was a refreshing find in Old Town Scottsdale. The…read morevenue is intimate but that is where it shines. We enjoyed three main exhibitions which were all well curated, interactive and amazingly well presented. Squidsoup - Infinite : a darkened space filled with lighted spheres dancing to instrumental music commissioned by SMoCA. An immersive experience evoking thought and mood. Casey Curran - Tidal Sky : immersive and interactive sculptures framed and freestanding, each incorporating delicate movement, beauty and decay. James Perkins - Burying Painting : literally, this artist buried his artwork in locations such as beaches and the desert, exposing them to the collaborative forces of nature to evoke beauty and emotion. --- Bonus for us was a weekend Merchantile Market gathering of vendors for the afternoon in the nearby Civic Center Plaza offering live music, food trucks, handcrafted beverages, and vintage finds and handmade goods perfect for gifting. Street parking was easy and free nearby. Well worth a visit in Old Town!

This place feels like my 5th grade science book came to life and we went on a field trip to enjoy…read morehands-on experiences. It's definitely geared toward children, so keep that in mind. There will almost always be a group of kids running around-sometimes they are appreciating the exhibits, other times they are just running up and down the stairs. I appreciate that they have different genres and categories in various areas of the museum. One section is dedicated to the human body while another one is all about weather. There's a lot of cool stuff to learn and they display it in a way that makes it fun and interactive for kids.

Bought Friday night tickets to the Bad Bunny Visual "A Love Letter to Puerto Rico." We arrived a…read morefew minutes before it was to start and they had not yet opened the theater. Once 7pm rolled around, they opened the doors and we were let in in a single file line. We sat towards the front and the view was still great. The employee greeted and welcomed us all and he gave us a quick rundown of what we were about to see. The show started and only lasted about 40 minutes. The music was good only because it was Bad Bunny playing but the visuals were boring. It was literally just a PR themed screen saver and random collages put together. Seats were comfy though and the huge screen itself is pretty cool. I would love to see a movie here! For the price of $25 per person though, I expected a little bit more from the show.

We visited the museum on a weekday morning. We enjoyed the displays of rocks from various parts of…read morethe earth, the Arizona-Mexican artifacts, and of course the dinosaurs, especially the aquatic dinosaurs. This museum has an active dinosaur fossil dig - you can watch and even talk to the paleontologist working on it! There's lots to see and enjoy here, including real elements from a jail that held prisoners from the 1830s to the 1970s!! The gift shop is reasonably priced and you can even purchase a "memory bag" filled with pencil, notebook eraser, etc, for only $2.50 each.

Paid $14 and only stayed about 40 minutes. There were multiple groups of school children that were…read morerunning around, screaming, jumping and bumping into everything. I expect that behavior to be tolerated at a children's museum, not a public museum where a basic level of respect and decorum is expected for EVERYONE inside. Wish I could say I enjoyed it but the hundreds of screaming children ruined any experience I could have had and left with a migraine. **Would appreciate museums to have specific days for "field trips" or hours for school days. Unfortunately many museum experiences are ruined due to the behavior of unruly children, and I'm still the one paying full price.